Tucked away in the Yorkshire Dales, behind a pub of all places, is one of England’s most unique waterfalls. Unlike most waterfalls, which one must endeavour on a perilous Lord of the Rings-esque journey, you can just head outside after a swift half and view one of the country’s most beautiful natural wonders, the Hardraw Force Waterfall walk- England’s highest single-drop waterfall. The walk includes beautiful wooden bridges to cross, lush greenery and the calming sound of nature.
Just north of the town of Hawes in the Wensleydale area of the Yorkshire Dales Hardraw Force waterfall walk is a nice easy jaunt that brings together some of the greatest elements that a waterfall needs. You can enjoy its great character, and, for me, the falls have to be epic with a view that you could sit and stare at while letting time pass. The Pennine Way long-distance path is close by, so you can make the trip what you want it to be. Oh, and did we mention it sits behind one of the nicest pubs that the Yorkshire Dales has to offer?
So, how do you visit the Hadraw Force Waterfall?
If you fancy driving to the Green Dragon Inn car park and heading to Hardraw Force waterfall that way – it’s a few minutes walk to the waterfall after paying your £4 at the turnstile to visit. You just head through after you’ve paid and follow the path, which leads straight to the waterfall where Kevin Costner once bathed for the Robin Hood films.
The best thing about this walk is it is easily accessible for all people. You can even make it there with a pram or in a wheelchair. The entrance fee money goes into maintaining the area, so you’ll find that it’s an immaculate secret garden walk like no other to reach.
Otherwise, you could make a day out of it and walk out from the town of Hawes and trek through the beautiful Yorkshire Dales for a few miles to reach the uniquely placed waterfall. The Hawes to Hardraw force walk follows the Pennine Way and is just over 4 miles.
Hawes has its own waterfall in the town centre, and although it’s not as impressive as Hadraw Force waterfall, it is a unique sight. Plus, the town has plenty of pubs for you to frequent so you can enjoy a quick pint before setting off to the waterfall with its pub. And, that’s what we call winning.
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You’re greeted with an awe-inspiring view when you reach the end of the Hardraw Force Waterfall walk. The solid rock amphitheatre cliff face creates an impressive, magnificent sight that frames the waterfall perfectly.
Check out our Hardraw Force walk from this summer below:
The water cascades over the rocky overhang of Hardraw Force and falls 100ft creating an amazing echo chamber accentuated by the vibrations against the surrounding rock. The moss-covered rocks have been weathered to create an amazing texture – each area is a little snapshot in itself.
Something is revitalising about this natural scene, so it’s no surprise that Romantic poet, William Wordsworth and J.M.W Turner Britain`s greatest watercolour artist and father of Impressionism, visited the waterfall taking residence in the 13th-century traditional Green Dragon Inn.
After you’ve had your fill of, Hardraw Force waterfall, England’s highest single-drop waterfall, you can head back up to the quirky pub and enjoy a nice beer in front of an open fire and admire the wood beams and flagged stone floors – and imagine what it would have been like when Wordsworth visited all those years before.
And, this pub is probably one of, if not the best pub, you can visit in the country. Located next to a stream and an old packhorse bridge it’s got all the idyllic things you would expect from a country pub in the heart of the dales.
The pub serves classic pub grub such as pies, fish & chips and a great Sunday Roast with regular specials on offer. It has two old-fashioned fireplaces where you can sit with a pint and chat with friends whilst enjoying the comfortable atmosphere and taking all the various trinkets that adorn the walls adding to the friendly pub vibe.
The pub has rooms to stay and always has bands and other events on for you to enjoy. So, you can make an experience out of visiting one of the country’s most unique waterfalls.
The Hardraw Force waterfall walk is an unforgettable experience. Not only do you get to take in the most beautiful part of the Yorkshire Dales with places like Hawes, Askrigg and more on your doorstep, but you also get to see
So, if you’re looking for a fantastic waterfall walk, Hardraw Faroce is tucked away in the Yorkshire Dales, behind a pub, and is the biggest of its kind in England. It’s unique in the sense that you can order your pint, go view the Hadraw Force waterfall one of the country’s most beautiful natural wonders, and be back before it’s finished pouring.
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